Media Coursework

Evaluation

By Louis Percival

TakenTaken

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YYtvACnED3A=YYtvACnED3A

This is the link to our film, but unfortunately the copy on YouTube This is the link to our film, but unfortunately the copy on YouTube Is a copy of very poor quality. The prototype of our final product Is a copy of very poor quality. The prototype of our final product which is on DVD, is of much better quality, and hopefully you will which is on DVD, is of much better quality, and hopefully you will be able to watch this copy, not the version on YouTube.be able to watch this copy, not the version on YouTube.

But other than this, overall as a group we are the delighted with the But other than this, overall as a group we are the delighted with the film we have made and how it looks as a finished product. We are film we have made and how it looks as a finished product. We are more than happy with the location found, and how we managed more than happy with the location found, and how we managed to locate our shots well, using the full potential of our location.to locate our shots well, using the full potential of our location.

Personally I am very happy with our finished product. Most of all I Personally I am very happy with our finished product. Most of all I think we made the film look professional, which was my main think we made the film look professional, which was my main aim, but also our groups main aim! We did this by the use of aim, but also our groups main aim! We did this by the use of different shots, and mise-en scene.different shots, and mise-en scene.

IntroductionIntroduction

For my media coursework. I came to decision to do the video project. For my media coursework. I came to decision to do the video project. What consisted of making the opening sequence to a film of a What consisted of making the opening sequence to a film of a specific genre. A plus to video project was you had to work in a specific genre. A plus to video project was you had to work in a group. I was fortunate to be able to work with Max Blanche, group. I was fortunate to be able to work with Max Blanche, Michael Keenan and Joel Duxbury. As a group we came to the Michael Keenan and Joel Duxbury. As a group we came to the decision to make a film with a paranormal thriller genre, as we decision to make a film with a paranormal thriller genre, as we thought that this is a highly liked topic in the film industry of this thought that this is a highly liked topic in the film industry of this day and age.day and age.

I feel that my main contributions to the group were giving the bases I feel that my main contributions to the group were giving the bases to the main story line. I also feel that I helped the group by being to the main story line. I also feel that I helped the group by being open and making people confident in giving contributions to the open and making people confident in giving contributions to the group. Which I feel is hugely important. i feel though that the group. Which I feel is hugely important. i feel though that the group had a good balance and everybody knew where there place group had a good balance and everybody knew where there place was and what we had to do. There was no main leader. Everybody was and what we had to do. There was no main leader. Everybody was equal, and it worked well.was equal, and it worked well.

When it comes to the actual making of the film, Me Joel and mike When it comes to the actual making of the film, Me Joel and mike where the main actors in the film, whereas max was the main where the main actors in the film, whereas max was the main camera operator.camera operator.

In what ways does you media product use, In what ways does you media product use, develop or challenge forums and develop or challenge forums and conventions of real media products?conventions of real media products? The genre to our opening sequence is supernatural thriller. We The genre to our opening sequence is supernatural thriller. We

decided to make it a supernatural thriller because we felt that that decided to make it a supernatural thriller because we felt that that this genre is a key element in films liked by the public, but also this genre is a key element in films liked by the public, but also because you do not have to spend millions of pounds on making it. because you do not have to spend millions of pounds on making it. Also due to the location and props we had, we felt that this genre Also due to the location and props we had, we felt that this genre suited our resources the most. suited our resources the most.

Personally I feel no convention were seriously challenged to suit our Personally I feel no convention were seriously challenged to suit our specific genre, there was fast paced editing, a range of shots, different specific genre, there was fast paced editing, a range of shots, different styles of camera work, different styles of music parallel to the certain styles of camera work, different styles of music parallel to the certain scenes, also the opening sequence creates many enigma’s. These are scenes, also the opening sequence creates many enigma’s. These are really all of the vital elements, what make up a supernatural thriller.really all of the vital elements, what make up a supernatural thriller.

Most importantly I feel that the opening sequence completely fulfils Most importantly I feel that the opening sequence completely fulfils the requirements of an opening sequence. We identify all of the main the requirements of an opening sequence. We identify all of the main characters, by doing close up shots of there faces, and also long shot characters, by doing close up shots of there faces, and also long shot showing them altogether, showing them as a group. But also we leave showing them altogether, showing them as a group. But also we leave the film on a fist clenching cliff hanger. Which I feel is the most the film on a fist clenching cliff hanger. Which I feel is the most important aspect of a opening sequence, as it makes the watcher want important aspect of a opening sequence, as it makes the watcher want to carry on watching! But also I feel that is gives a decent outline of to carry on watching! But also I feel that is gives a decent outline of what’s to come in the story, what’s to come in the story,

How does your media product represent How does your media product represent particularparticular social groups? social groups?

ShankShank

ShankShank

KidulthoodKidulthood

Our filmOur film

ContinuedContinued

In our film we are representing rebel teenagers. We are showing a In our film we are representing rebel teenagers. We are showing a sort of thuggish social group. We have represented this social group sort of thuggish social group. We have represented this social group by using genuine stereotypes associated with that group of people. by using genuine stereotypes associated with that group of people. For example, showing them stealing something from some bodies For example, showing them stealing something from some bodies home. But most of all we have tried and succeeded I feel in home. But most of all we have tried and succeeded I feel in representing this group of people by the way they dress, act and representing this group of people by the way they dress, act and speak. Which is usual seen to be tracksuits and trainers, huddies. The speak. Which is usual seen to be tracksuits and trainers, huddies. The local slang, and silly childish behaviours. As you can see in the local slang, and silly childish behaviours. As you can see in the pictures on the previous slide. I have compared some screen shots pictures on the previous slide. I have compared some screen shots from our film to some of films, consisting of a thuggish nature. And to from our film to some of films, consisting of a thuggish nature. And to be honest I think they correspond pretty well.be honest I think they correspond pretty well.

Also the fact that the group are out at night represents the youths Also the fact that the group are out at night represents the youths presented by the media nowadays. All of this is going with the presented by the media nowadays. All of this is going with the dominant mode we are representing here.dominant mode we are representing here.

We know we have succeeded with presenting our youths like we We know we have succeeded with presenting our youths like we wanted because in our audience feedback they knew exactly who they wanted because in our audience feedback they knew exactly who they were by the way they were dressed and acting.were by the way they were dressed and acting.

what kind of media institution might what kind of media institution might distribute your media product and distribute your media product and

why?why? After browsing the web, and looking into a number of After browsing the web, and looking into a number of

different companies, I think that revolver entertainment different companies, I think that revolver entertainment would be a perfect institution to distribute our film.would be a perfect institution to distribute our film.

It Is a company that specialises in British films, and has It Is a company that specialises in British films, and has just had a huge success with a film called shank. What is just had a huge success with a film called shank. What is also a British film, and you could also argue that is similar also a British film, and you could also argue that is similar to our film, with is thuggish nature, it shares the same to our film, with is thuggish nature, it shares the same stereotypes of youths we use. The only difference is our stereotypes of youths we use. The only difference is our has a supernatural element to it.has a supernatural element to it.

It is a well established company, and obviously has It is a well established company, and obviously has experience with our type of film, so therefore is the best experience with our type of film, so therefore is the best option for me.option for me.

Who would be the audience for your Who would be the audience for your media product?media product?

The age our film is aimed at males between the age of 15-25. The age our film is aimed at males between the age of 15-25. you might think that this is quite an open group. But this is the you might think that this is quite an open group. But this is the audience range what our film applies to, because youngster like audience range what our film applies to, because youngster like watching films like this because of the thrill whereas older watching films like this because of the thrill whereas older people like watching this for the story line, and the understand people like watching this for the story line, and the understand the film.the film.

The socio economic status of our target audience is one of the The socio economic status of our target audience is one of the top end of the economic ladder. Due to richer people going to top end of the economic ladder. Due to richer people going to the cinema, and buying the DVD.the cinema, and buying the DVD.

Also people in this target range are more interested in films of Also people in this target range are more interested in films of this specific genre so therefore sales figures would go up, but this specific genre so therefore sales figures would go up, but also people of this age go and pay to watch the film or buy it also people of this age go and pay to watch the film or buy it when it comes out. Also there are so many people of this age when it comes out. Also there are so many people of this age group, and usually people of this age group do spend money on group, and usually people of this age group do spend money on these types of things.these types of things.

After looking at the audience feedback our target audience After looking at the audience feedback our target audience really enjoyed watching our film, so if it was to be distributed it really enjoyed watching our film, so if it was to be distributed it looks like it would be a great hit! We received a very positive looks like it would be a great hit! We received a very positive reaction.reaction.

How did you attract/address your How did you attract/address your target audience?target audience?

We first of all grabbed the attention of audience by starting with a We first of all grabbed the attention of audience by starting with a disruption in our equilibrium, by the sort of fast action seen at the disruption in our equilibrium, by the sort of fast action seen at the beginning. This starts of the film with a huge enigma, where did beginning. This starts of the film with a huge enigma, where did they steal from, why did they do it? This instantly sucks the they steal from, why did they do it? This instantly sucks the audience in because they want to know what happening due to the audience in because they want to know what happening due to the fast loud music and fast short clips. This is what you want to see at fast loud music and fast short clips. This is what you want to see at the start of a film, you want the start of the film to be intersting and the start of a film, you want the start of the film to be intersting and I feel as a group we achieved this. Especially people aged between I feel as a group we achieved this. Especially people aged between 15-25. these type of people don’t want to be sat there listening to a 15-25. these type of people don’t want to be sat there listening to a love letter, they want to be sat on the edge of there seats wondering love letter, they want to be sat on the edge of there seats wondering what is happening. what is happening.

We create a good sense of time as well in the film by starting off in We create a good sense of time as well in the film by starting off in broad daylight, but the using a transition to show a pass of time, but broad daylight, but the using a transition to show a pass of time, but also to match the stereotype thuggish youths going out in the dark, also to match the stereotype thuggish youths going out in the dark, this gives the viewer an instant indication what type of people the this gives the viewer an instant indication what type of people the characters are, which is also a key element of an opening sequence.characters are, which is also a key element of an opening sequence.

We also create a great deal of tension and suspense when the We also create a great deal of tension and suspense when the youths enter the house, and they are looking around. Because you youths enter the house, and they are looking around. Because you can just tell that something is going to happen due to the can just tell that something is going to happen due to the atmosphere the parallel music creates. This is also a great feature atmosphere the parallel music creates. This is also a great feature what viewers like, as I know myself!what viewers like, as I know myself!

locationlocation

This is where we jump over theThis is where we jump over the wall at the beginning of the sequence.wall at the beginning of the sequence.

This is where we land after jumping overThis is where we land after jumping over all the wall and run down this backstreetall the wall and run down this backstreet

This is the house This is the house and The main and The main

Feature of The film, Feature of The film, where awhere a

lot of the filming lot of the filming takes placetakes place

This is the street that This is the street that we are walking downwe are walking down

when we discoverwhen we discover the camera.the camera.

What have you learnt about What have you learnt about technologies from the process of technologies from the process of

constructing this product?constructing this product? During the process of making our opening sequence I have learnt a During the process of making our opening sequence I have learnt a

number of new things. For example I now have an in depth number of new things. For example I now have an in depth knowledge on using i-movie on the Mac's. I now know have to edit knowledge on using i-movie on the Mac's. I now know have to edit films, whether it be moving clips about, adding effects to shots, films, whether it be moving clips about, adding effects to shots, putting transitions in between…putting transitions in between…

Also I now know of new websites where I can find research of film Also I now know of new websites where I can find research of film stats and ratings. (stats and ratings. (www.imdb.comwww.imdb.com) I am sure that these will come ) I am sure that these will come in handy in future life.in handy in future life.

I also found out new things about web 2.0 and new ways of I also found out new things about web 2.0 and new ways of interacting on the internet, for example blogger. I didn’t know that interacting on the internet, for example blogger. I didn’t know that such websites existed. And I am sure that blogging will become such websites existed. And I am sure that blogging will become much more popular to me in the future.much more popular to me in the future.

Also I become more useful with a camcorder and camera, by Also I become more useful with a camcorder and camera, by finding out new functions and shots.finding out new functions and shots.

Also and most important I feel, is I have become more confident in Also and most important I feel, is I have become more confident in putting forward my views in groups discussions but also reading putting forward my views in groups discussions but also reading what people really mean, and dealing with awkward group what people really mean, and dealing with awkward group situations.situations.

Equipment Equipment

Looking back at your preliminary task, what Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to the full product?progression from it to the full product? I feel that we have improved incredibly since our I feel that we have improved incredibly since our

preliminary task, in all possible aspects. For example most preliminary task, in all possible aspects. For example most of all in the editing of our shots. The smoothness of cuts, of all in the editing of our shots. The smoothness of cuts, the timing and usage of transitions and cuts. And also the timing and usage of transitions and cuts. And also using effects to make the film more interesting/appealing using effects to make the film more interesting/appealing to the target audience, that’s what I feel we have done to the target audience, that’s what I feel we have done really well. We have made our film look as professional by really well. We have made our film look as professional by making it appeal to our target audience and that is what making it appeal to our target audience and that is what big films do. That is the overall difference between our big films do. That is the overall difference between our preliminary task and our final product. Our prelim looks preliminary task and our final product. Our prelim looks amateur whereas our final product looks professional.amateur whereas our final product looks professional.

Also a big improvement in our acting skills have been Also a big improvement in our acting skills have been made, in our prelim, our acting was shabby and made, in our prelim, our acting was shabby and unprofessional, whereas in our final product our acting is a unprofessional, whereas in our final product our acting is a lot better, and more serious the match the film.lot better, and more serious the match the film.

So overall I feel there has been big improvements.So overall I feel there has been big improvements.

Comparison between preliminary task Comparison between preliminary task and final product.and final product.

evaluationevaluation

Strengths – Personally I feel that our overall film is outstanding. Strengths – Personally I feel that our overall film is outstanding. Obviously there are improvements to be made but there are Obviously there are improvements to be made but there are improvements to be made in every film ever released. So that is improvements to be made in every film ever released. So that is nothing to worry about. At least we will know to work on these nothing to worry about. At least we will know to work on these mistakes next time. mistakes next time.

I am extremely happy with the overall story line, and the way we I am extremely happy with the overall story line, and the way we executed this story by the range of shots we used, the effects we executed this story by the range of shots we used, the effects we have used in our editing, and the acting done to make the film. I have used in our editing, and the acting done to make the film. I think it makes the film look extremely professional! For think it makes the film look extremely professional! For example, the white noise flickering as the camera is dropped example, the white noise flickering as the camera is dropped near the end of the film. We used effects like this as very near the end of the film. We used effects like this as very successful films such as cloverfield and paranormal activity use successful films such as cloverfield and paranormal activity use effects like this, and we wanted to make our film look as effects like this, and we wanted to make our film look as professional as possible and I feel that things like this helped us.professional as possible and I feel that things like this helped us.

I am also very happy with the way the group worked together to I am also very happy with the way the group worked together to produce a very high standard of work I believe.produce a very high standard of work I believe.

Continued..Continued..

A major problem we faced during the production of our film was A major problem we faced during the production of our film was getting everybody together to actually record the film. Some getting everybody together to actually record the film. Some people we unavailable when others where and visa versa. And it people we unavailable when others where and visa versa. And it was just a little frustrating sometimes, but we managed to get was just a little frustrating sometimes, but we managed to get around that problem, and eventually we got the film finished.around that problem, and eventually we got the film finished.

Another problem we faced what wasn’t really our fault. Was our lack Another problem we faced what wasn’t really our fault. Was our lack of resources, for example we weren't able to use lighting we would of resources, for example we weren't able to use lighting we would have liked to have used like side lighting and back lighting, but we have liked to have used like side lighting and back lighting, but we tried out best to get around this and use what we had, and I think tried out best to get around this and use what we had, and I think our hard work has paid off.our hard work has paid off.

If there are any changes to be made to the actual film, the only one I If there are any changes to be made to the actual film, the only one I can think of is to get a first person view shot of somebody looking can think of is to get a first person view shot of somebody looking down on the youths, to show that somebody is actually in the down on the youths, to show that somebody is actually in the house, but also make him looking down on the fans, to show his house, but also make him looking down on the fans, to show his authority, and also show that he is better than them, be it strength, authority, and also show that he is better than them, be it strength, power, magic, what ever we decide.power, magic, what ever we decide.

Overall I am more than happy with the way the film has Overall I am more than happy with the way the film has turned out. As a group I think we are surprised the way turned out. As a group I think we are surprised the way the film has finished, but we deserve it due to our hard the film has finished, but we deserve it due to our hard work, and defeating all of our many problems. Obviously work, and defeating all of our many problems. Obviously there is room for improvement, and I am sure if I a made a there is room for improvement, and I am sure if I a made a opening sequence to a film again, It will be an opening sequence to a film again, It will be an improvement on ‘Taken’improvement on ‘Taken’